By Nevison Mpofu
Child-hood cancer has been touched at its navel as the main area in health to be looked at from the foundations of Health looking at research and development in many countries of Africa and the World. However Zimbabwe remains core- hard hit by increase in child-hood cancer cases.
According to statistics already remorseful at hand, children’s lives are highly reduced in number in many countries. This has been noted as well in many countries by several researchers already working on what needs to be done by medical experts. Cancer National Registry 0f Zimbabwe , Register , Mr Eric Chokunonga said at least 400, 000 children in many countries developed or non-developed around the world develop several cancer types every year. However, developed countries treat almost 80% of cancer cases successfully. In developing countries nearly 30% are treated successfully.
‘’At least 400,000 children develop cancer. These are mostly those of 0 to 19 years. In high in-come countries with all the resources for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, 80% of cancer cases are treated successfully’’
‘’In middle and low in-come countries, only 30% are effectively treated and cured. Death in many of these countries is result of failure to do early detection , diagnose , treatment options and cure as a result is one challenge already affecting many families from developing countries of the world’’
‘’ Usually children are taken care of by their parents and guardians when the health problem becomes serious. Some lack access to diagnosis, early treatment stages and cure along the way. There are obstacles to accessing care, palliative care and generally home-based care and counselling from home start’’
‘’Some children abandon treatment before early treatment results. There is lack of knowledge, information, better care and lack of food basically in line with kind of treatment suitable for children and those taking care of children affected. There is death from toxicity and re-lapse ‘’
National Cancer Registry documents reveal that pediatrics cancers accounted of 3,7 % of all cancers. These were recorded in Zimbabwe in 2018.
Cancer starts with genetic change in single cells. These then grow into a tumor .These invades other parts of the body. After time if un-treated, this causes harm and death. Cancer causes in children remains a challenge according to medical experts in current researches already on ground. Some a few to say are a result of environmental and lifestyle factors.
DOCTOR Patience Kuona a Pediatric –Haemato –Oncologist at Parireyatwa , formerly Andrew Fleming Hospital contacted to comment said that cancer begins with genetic change in single cells. This may not be detected but early diagnosis is vital. After tumors grow, they invade other body parts. This causes harm to children. They may die if not attended.
‘’Cancer in adults is easy to detect than in children. The mechanism of cancer in children is different from that in adults. Adults usually get the disease as they age on in life. This is part of geriatric infections and diseases. Some organs fail to work efficiently for them then they start to be ill. That is why it is not difficult to detect in adults than in children’’
‘’The fact that we as adults have been exposed over time to environment , the sun , its radiation heat , wind , air we breathe , food we eat , chemicals and all , we obviously get cancer so fast in old age . At the same time it’s easy to detect, treat and cure mainly in children.
Kids-Can Nurse Charity Kawadza expressed concern over the high rate of cancer prevalence. However she expressed that parents must react quickly once they suspect symptoms of cancer like fatigue, fevers, unusual lumps and abrupt changes in behavior.
‘’ Adults once they see, detect symptoms in kids, they must take quick action before everything goes bad. Parents usually visit doctors, clinics and hospitals after the problem has prolonged. Let us take action early and fast as parents. Care-givers must take action quickly when and once children complain of pain in their body.’’
‘’Let us not ignore children who complain to us as parents. Let us take quick, fast action before dangers come. Once this happens we prevent. Prevention is better. There are specific symptoms like fatigue, weakness, weight loss, pain, swelling and lumps in the body’’
The goal according to Health bodies and countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals is to achieve at least 60% survival of children with cancer by 2030. This is possible through awareness, sensitization and advocacy in community. Education in schools remains crucial. Educative programs. Getting close to the curricular is so important in Health Education lessons and studies, research qualitatively and quantitatively from Primary, Secondary to Tertiary education. Family and community Radio and TV Programs, all media engagement like newspapers and magazines is crucial. Google On-Lines and websites like www.pan-african-visions.com for more information is important. And to gain knowledge from International organizations like the American Cancer Society website remains good advanced advice……..
